Guide Note:

Sting was the frontman and bassist for the wildly successful British rock band The Police before disbanding the group in 1984 to pursue a solo career. He has since become one of the world's most popular touring acts and an iconic figure in contemporary rock music, selling over 45 million records worldwide, as well as a film actor and political activist. He recently reunited with The Police and embarked on an international tour.

Fast Facts:

1. Real Name: Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner
2. Born on October 2, 1951 in Wallsend, England
3. Spouse: Trudi Styler
4. Has 6 children
5. Grammy Awards: 16
6. Nominated for 3 Oscars
7. Shares songwriting credit and appears on Dire Straits song "Money for Nothing"
8. Former English teacher and ditch digger
9. Founder of The Rainforest Foundation
10. Godfather to Madonna's son Rocco

While playing with the jazz group The Phoenix Jazzmen, Sumner appeared one night in a striped black-and-yellow sweater, making him resemble a bee. His bandmates began calling him "Sting," and the name stuck. He now uses it both professionally and in his personal life, on everything except legal documents.

Sting released his first solo single, "Spread a Little Happiness," in 1982, while still with The Police, for the soundtrack to the film Brimstone and Treacle. He also started work on his debut solo album, 1985's The Dream of Blue Turtles, while still with the band. The record went Triple Platinum that year, and was nominated for a Grammy for Album of the Year.

For the next decade, Sting was among the most popular musical artists in the world. In 1993, he recorded the song "All for Love" along with Bryan Adams and Rod Stewart for the film The Three Musketeers and scored a #1 hit, shifting his audience from college rock fans to an adult contemporary fanbase.

His work since then has followed this trend, and seen his popularity as a radio/recording artist begin to wane. He remains a hugely popular touring act, however.

Sting made his film acting debut as "Ace Face" in 1979's Who musical Quadrophenia. Other significant performances include the 1982 film Brimstone and Treacle, the 1988 Mike Figgis film Stormy Monday and Guy Ritchie's Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. He was an executive producer on the 2006 film A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints.